Milcom scanner

[bertsirkin]

I'm looking for a hand-held scanner that can receive military frequencies. A few frequencies that I know I'm going to want are 291.600, 120.250 and 315.900 - these are the frequencies used jets training to fly thru Rainbow Canyon in Death Valley (see Rainbow Canyon 6-8th May 2013 • FighterControl • Home to the Military Aviation Enthusiast).

I want to photograph the jets, but there's very little warning, and they fly VERY fast - a radio will give me a little advance warning that they're coming.

But, I know very little about military communications. Do I need digital or analog? I don't want to spend a lot for a scanner, as I may only use it once and maybe resell it (If it's digital, I may as well forget about it now!).

Can somebody tell me if the communications are analog, and if they are, what reasonably priced scanner would be capable of hearing these frequencies?

 

[HorkyBamf]

Yes, analog. Uniden BC125AT would probably be just the thing for you.

 

[bertsirkin]

Yes, analog. Uniden BC125AT would probably be just the thing for you.

Thank you very much! I just found a used one on eBay that I'll be purchasing.

 

[paulmohr]

It is a possibility that if you contact the Air Force bases media or public relations department you might actually be able to get a schedule of when they are going to fly. As long as they are not secret aircraft or flights it should not be a big deal. Be honest and tell them what you want to do and they might be able to help you out. Heck, they might even let you on the base to photo some of the aircraft.

You may not get onto the flight line where they keep the jets, but with an escort you should be able to get close to anything in a hanger. When I was in they let my girlfriend sit in the cockpit of an F-4 we were working on in the hanger.

Most bases will let civilians on the base if you know someone that can sign you on, or you can get clearance ahead of time. They just have to verify you are not a terrorist or some kind of nut job lol.

The worst they can do is say no. Can't hurt to ask.